The Road, Not Yet Taken

Finding meaning between the miles.

These are my stories—about travel, about motion, and about what it all stirs up along the way. I’ve never been that interested in the fine details of an itinerary. For me, it’s always been less about where we went and more about how it felt—what lingered long after the map was folded up and the moment had passed. That’s the part I try to hold onto. That’s what I write about.

This is the beginning of Open Road Adventures, a dedicated space for stories from the road—travel journals, campsite discoveries, and everything that happens in between. I’ll be writing from the road with my husband Cade and our very determined little dog, Chase.

A few months ago, we ordered a Casita travel trailer—a small, towable home on wheels that finally felt right after years of toying with the idea of RV life. We weren’t looking to live full-time on the road; we’re happily settled in Portland, Oregon. But we’ve always shared a love for travel—the kind that invites wonder and allows room to breathe. The Casita gives us the chance to slow down, explore, and see places we’ve never been—without giving up everything we already love.

This first trip will take us from Texas—where I’m heading now to pick up the trailer—all the way back home to Portland. We’ll go west through New Mexico and Arizona, stop in Palm Springs, and wind our way up the California coast. We’ll try out RV parks, boondocking spots, and a few Harvest Hosts—camping at wineries, farms, and small local businesses that open their land to travelers.

Chase and I taking a break from packing in Portland prior to our trip to Texas to pick up our new Casita.

This series won’t be a collection of polished travel guides. It’ll be a little looser than that. Some posts may feel like journal entries. Others might include campground reviews, photos, short videos, and if I get up the nerve—maybe even a few live check-ins. Along the way, we hope to meet people—maybe even make friends—and I’ll be sharing those moments too.

If you’re also following Not That Anyone Asked, you may see stories pop up there under the title Tails from Behind the Outback. That series lives in a slightly different space—more reflective, sometimes imagined, always rooted in emotion. Those stories don’t follow our travels in a literal sense, but they do come from the same heart.

But Open Road Adventures is the daily rhythm—the dirt-under-your-fingernails kind of travel storytelling. It’s about the journey itself: the unexpected turns, the small discoveries, the moments that unfold when the road opens up and you just keep going.

Thanks for being here as we get started. The wheels haven’t yet touched the road—but the adventure’s already begun.

-R. Michael